Cape Times 2024-06-25

from page 1 Solly Malatsi would only say his party remained committed to the statement of intent to set up a GNU. “The purpose of our negotiations now is to give expression to that statement so that we are able to make a positive impact on the lives of South Africans. “We obviously cannot enter a government if we do not have the means to effect positive change. “We are hopeful that we can reach a satisfactory agreement with the ANC,” he said. Malatsi, who steered clear of the document purported to be from Zille, said they were obliged to respect the mandate from the voters and put the people of South Africa first. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said that every effort must be made to ensure that the…

from page 1 on whether he was guilty or innocent. “If the court rules in his favour, he will be eligible to take the ministerial positions again but if the court rules otherwise, then he will have to step aside completely,” she said. Kodwa, who is number 25 on the ANC’s national list to Parliament, was not among the newly-elected public representatives that took oath of office in the first sitting of the National Assembly about 10 days ago. He stepped down as the minister when he appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court alongside his co-accused, former EOH boss Jehan Mackay. At the time, Bhengu-Motsiri said the step-aside policy would kick in after he wrote to secretary-general Fikile Mbalula notifying him of his resignation and abiding by the step-aside…

Power utility Eskom has shortlisted five contractors to supply the first batch of 26 transformers to be awarded by the end of July as it embarks on a massive project to install more than 14 000km of new transmission lines by 2032. This comes as the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA), to be launched next Monday, sets out the “largest infrastructure roll-out programme since the inception of its predecessor, Eskom’s Transmission Division, with the commitment to deliver 170 transformers to bring on board 105 865MVA transformer capacity and 14 218km of new transmission lines by 2032”. The suppliers, mostly with a local and international footprint, will compete for various tenders in the coming years. Eskom said yesterday that the contracts were expected to be worth in the region…

THE City of Tshwane is beset with problems of ageing infrastructure and acts of sabotage that have been blamed for prolonged water outages in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas in Region 7. MMC for utility services Themba Fosi said he observed first-hand the challenges stemming from the ageing infrastructure in Region 7 during his oversight visit with Mayor Cilliers Brink. This came after Independen Media last week reported that residents went for days without water after the couplings used for joining pipes to Zithobeni reservoir were stretched and blasted shortly after the repairs were done. The City has since said the repairs were successfully completed, but pointed out that its infrastructure is old and vulnerable to acts of sabotage. During the visit to Bronkhorstspruit water purification and treatment plants, Fosi acknowledged…

Former ANC MP Cyril Xaba has been sworn in as a councillor of eThekwini Municipality, in a move that provides the strongest indication that he is set to be elected as the City’s first citizen. Independent Newspapers has been reliably informed that a report was tabled by the speaker’s office indicating that Xaba is now a councillor in eThekwini. This is the first step in the process that could see him elected as the eThekwini mayor. It was expected today that the council will give the go-ahead for Xaba to take over the ANC’s seat in the executive committee. This will be the second step that almost clears all hurdles for him to be appointed to the top job. He could be sworn in as early as today to replace…

While not on the City’s 72 hour-water outage list, residents in Schaapkraal and Strandfontein also reported low pressure yesterday morning, the City said. Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said City teams had rerouted water to these communities. The City announced a 72-hour operation to do essential maintenance to its water supply network on the Cape Flats, which started yesterday, and is expected to last until tomorrow (Wednesday), resulting in several areas having no water. Residents in the following areas are affected: Wynberg, Wetton, Ottery, Plumstead, Diep River, Southfield, Elfindale, Heathfield, Retreat, Steenberg, Lavender Hill, Seawinds, Vrygrond, Muizenberg, Parkwood, Lotus River, Grassy Park, Zeekoevlei, Pelican Park, Pelican Heights, Peacock Close, and Eagle Park. Yesterday afternoon Badroodien confirmed that all valves leading to the areas where valve replacements were…